DELHI SET TO HOST A RETROSPECTIVE OF RENOWNED ARTIST NIKAS SAFRONOV

Delhi prepares to showcase Nikas Safronov’s expansive artistic journey through a rare retrospective.

- NOOR ANAND CHAWLA

Art isa universal language connecting people across borders and other man-made divides. This is most evident in the work of renowned Russian artist Nikolay Stepanovich Safronov, better known as Nikas Safronov. His art will be displayed in a retrospective exhibition in December in Delhi's Lalit Kala Akademi, followed by onein Mumbai.

Given the title of People's Artist of Russia’, Safronov has held over 320 exhibitions in Russia and abroad, in the span ofa decade. This exhibition has been brought to life with the support of Rosneft Oil Company in the furtherance of their aim to useartasan effective tool for strengthening international relations. Safronov explains, “The exhibitions in India are aimedat developing cultural dialogue and enhancing mutual understanding between our countries. Entry to the exhibition is free and Thope thisencourages many people to visit. [believe artis the best platform for public diplomacy.”

Over a long and distinguished career, Safronov has made a name for himself around the world, with his works being part of personal collections of royal family members, spiritual leaders, influential international political figures and numerous global celebrities. At the exhibition, one can browse through more than 100 paintings, covering different periods of his creative career. It'san opportunity to witness up close the evolution of his artistic style, which he calls Dream Vision.

Safronov teaches at the Russian Academy of Arts, and is professor and dean of the Faculty of Cultureand Artsat Ulyanovsk State University, as well as professor of the Department of Drawing and Painting at the Russian State University named after A.N. Kosygin. He studied at the Grekov Rostov Art School and worked asa theatre designer in the Lithuanian city of Panev Zys, before settling in Vilnius and later Moscow.